Industrial goggles



july 7, 1942. M. N. ANDERSON ETAL 2,288,664

INDUSTRIAL GOGGLES 2 sheets-sheet 1 Filed March '25, 1940 *Mlliuili Filed March 25, 1940 2 Sljuaets-SheeTl 2 Patented July 7, 1942 INDUSTRIAL GOGGLES Marshall N. Anderson, Chicago, and Clifford L. Roe, Geneva, Ill., assignors to Sellstrom Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application March z5, 1940, serial No. 325,708

11 Claims.

This inventionrelates to goggles and more particularly to industrial goggles adapted forvuse in connection with welding, grinding, or other industrial operations in which it is desired to protect the eyes from heat and light or from sparks sulating material, such as Bakelite, plastics, suitable metals or the like, and heretofore the cornplicated tools and involved molding operations required in connection with the production of the various elements, whereby suitable ventilation and other desirable features may be provided, have been very expensive, and such methods of manufacture have not been well suited tohigh speed quantity production. l

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and novel improved structure as a whole, and particularly novel structures and relationships of the individual elements, whereby the cost of production, especially in so far as the molding operations are concerned, is very materially reduced without saoricing any desirable characteristics. It has been found that, where heretofore certain parts have been made integral, it is possible, when theyare separately formed and arranged to cooperate in accordance with the present invention, to reduce the cost of i `the individual elementsA as well yas the cost yof device easily and quickly assembled to provide a, satisfactory structure which will not easily get out of order.

Another object is the provision of industrial goggles having molded eyecups. withiiat uninterrupted lens1 seats and in1which each cup is provided with light-excluding tortuous passages through the side walls and terminating closely adjacent the lens `seat and arrangedlfcr-substa-ntially" uniform ventilation of the face of the lens.

Further objects will be apparent from 'the specification and the appended claims.

In the drawings: Y

Fig. l is a front view of one embodiment of the inner sury invention and illustrates a completely assembled pair of goggles.

Fig. 2 is a top view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 with one of the eyecups or lens mounts shown in horizontal section.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the base member of one of the eyecups.

Fig. 4 is a perspective View of the threaded Ventilating ring or lens' seat in position to be assembled onY the base member shown inA Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view taken on a line substantially corresponding to line 5--5 of Fig. 3 after the threaded ring shown in Fig. 4, and the lensand lens clamping ring or bezel shown in Fig. 1 are assembled thereon.

Fig. 6 is a View similar to that shown in Fig. 5, but taken on a line corresponding to line 6-6 of Fig. 3, and with a lens-holding ring or bezel adapted for beveled lenses assembled thereon.

' Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the inner ventilating plate.

Fig. 8 is an elevation of the outer Ventilating plate which cooperates with the inner plate shown in Fig. to provide ventilation and at the same time prevent light entering the lens mounting base.

Fig. 9 is a sectionalview through the ventilating plates and base shown in Figs. 7 and 8 and is taken on a line substantially corresponding to line 9 9 oi Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view through the flexible nose piece or bridge and is Vtakenon a line substantially corresponding to line I0--I9 of Fig. 2. Fig. 11 is an outsideelevation of a foraminated Ventilating plate which maybe used in place of the plates shown in Figs.`7 and-8 whenit is not necessary to prevent light enteringtheeye piece.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional perspective view of one of the assembled eyeoups'and illustrates a slightly modied embodiment of the inventionj i Referring to thedrawings in detail, the embodiment illustrated comprises a pair of eyecups I connected together by means of a flexible nose piece or bridge 2 and preferably' having an elastic strap 3 securedto each eyecup` with one of the straps provided with a buckle 4 by which the goggles may be secured in place on the head of the wearer.

Each of the' eyecups I comprises a generally tubular base 5 having its inner edge contour substantially as shown to lit the facial contour of the wearer. The tubular or ring-like base 5 is of such a contour 'that a comparatively long rearwardly extending temple portion 6 is formed on the outer side thereof and provided with enlarged substantially triangular openings 'l therethrough separated by a comparatively narrow rib 8'. The inner end of portion 6 is provided with a slot 9 to receive one of the elastic. straps 3, and a threaded opening I is provided at the opposite side of the member to receive the thumb screw of an adjustable nose piece which will later be described.

The triangular openings 'I are preferably covered on their outer side by means of a triangular plate II (Fig. 8) having perforations I2 therein preferably in the form of slots, as shown, to provide ventilation. An inner plate I3 of similar contour is secured to the inner side of the base 5 and covers the triangular openings 1 in the same manner as the plate II covers the openings on the outside. These two plates may be secured in position by means of rivets I4 extending through the base, whereby both of the plates may be assembled and secured simultaneously. The inner plate I3 is provided with openings I5 therethrough which communicate through the triangular openings 'I with the slots I2 to provide suitable ventilation. The openings I5 are offset from the slots I2 to prevent the direct passage of light therethrough. The inner edges of the openings I5 are preferably turned inwardly, as shown at I6 (Fig. 9), to provide a shield which further obstructs the light, but at the same time enables suitable ventilation. The plates are preferably provided with light-absorbing surfaces.

When the exclusion of light is not an important factor and it is desired' merely to prevent the entrance of sparks or flying particles, a foraminated plate I'I, such as shown in Fig; 11, may be used preferably on the outer side of the base, and this plate may be either a very fine wire mesh or a plate having very fine perforations therethrough which effectively prevent foreign particles from entering the eyecup and at the same time provide suitable ventilation. This plate may be secured by means of rivets I8 in the same manner as previously described. The eyecup elements are preferably made of suitable plastic material such as Bakelite or the like, although the plates just described may be of metal, if desired.

The base 5 is provided adjacent its outer edge with an annulallinterrupted shoulder I9 (Fig. 3) the formation of which provides a comparatively thin upstanding annular flange 20 at the outer edge of the base. The shoulder is provided with spaced notches 2| which are preferably in alignment with similar notches 22 in the upstanding ange 2B. These notches are intended to cooperate with corresponding notches 23 in an externally threaded molded ring 24 which is provided at its outer edge with an inturned comparatively thin iiange 25. The notches 23 preferably correspond in annular extent with the notches 2| and 22 so that, when the ring 24 is telescoped over the upstanding ange 20 of the base, it will rest on the shoulder I9 of the base and each aligned set of notches will provide a tortuous light-excluding Ventilating passage 26 between the ring 24 and the base 5.

The ring 24 is preferably cemented on the base 5 and may be provided with a lug 21 for engagement in a notch 28 in the base whereby the parts may relatively be positioned to align all of the `notches to thereby provide a series of Ventilating passages 'similar to that shown in Fig. 6. After the ring is cemented on the base, the parts be- -come` substantially an integral structure with Ventilating vpassages therethrough, terminating closely adjacentV the'inner surface of the lens to thereby kreduce fogging and the like. The tortuous shape of each passage effectively prevents light from entering therethrough. The construction of the'base and ring elements is such that the dies and manufacturing processes are extremely simple, and, therefore, they may easily and cheaply be produced in quantity production.

The ring 24 is provided with a substantially flat outer surface 29 (Fig. 6), and a lens 30 of any suitable type, either clear or colored, may be placed thereon and removably secured by means of an internally threaded bezel 3I having an inturned flange 32 for engaging the lens. The internally threaded bezel 3| extends suiciently beyond the threads, as shown at 33 in Fig. 6, to shield the entrances to the Ventilating openings in the manner shown, thereby further preventing the entrance of light or foreign particles into the eyecups.

The eyecups I are connected together by means of the flexible nose piece or bridge 2, and this bridge comprises a flexible member 34 (Fig. 10), preferably in the form of a short length of ball chain such, for instance, as commonly used as pull chains for electric sockets. A tubular split thumb screw 35 is threaded into each of the openings III in the respective eye pieces I, and these thumb screws are each provided with a reduced opening 36 at the inner end and may be expanded so that one or more of the balls of the chain 34 may be inserted and retained therein after the thumb screw is threaded in place in the eyecup. In goggles of this type, it is desirable that the nose piece or bridge be adjustable in order that the goggles may -be adapted to the facial characteristics of the user. It will, therefore, be apparent that, in order to adjust the length of the bridge, it is only necessary to turn one or both of the thumb screws or bushings 35 in a direction to provide the desired adjustment. The construction just described provides for considerable adjustment in view of the fact that more than one of the balls of the chain 34 may be entered in the tubular member 35, and therefore the bridge may be lengthened or shortened as desired, or a considerable degree of adjustment may be obtained by means of the thumb screws alone. A resilient guard or pad is provided on the chain 34 and may comprise a flexible rubber tube 31 placed thereover.

Fig. l2 illustrates a slightly modified embodiment in which the eyecup Ia is provided with an upstanding inner flange 38 and an outer annular shoulder 39. The outer end of the eyecup including the shoulder and ange is provided with a series of irregular notches 49. An externally threaded ring 4I having an inturned flange 42 is telescoped snugly over the flange 38 and against the shoulder 39 and cemented thereto to form an integral eyecup having an externally threaded end with a flat lens seat and light-excluding, tortuous Ventilating passages therethrough closely adjacent the lens seat. The lens is removably secured in place by means of a threaded bezel 43 similar to those previously described and which may overhang the Ventilating passages in the salme manner.

Modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is therefore desired that the invention be limited only by the prior art and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described this invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A molded eyecup for goggles comprising a generally tubular member having its forward end terminating in a lens seat, and means to secure a lens to said seat. the Walls of said cup having light-excluding tortuous Ventilating passages therethrough with their inner ends terminating closely adjacent said lens seat and their outer ends terminating a material distance rearwardly from said lens seat, said lens securing means having a skirt overhanging but spaced from the outer ends of said passages to provide further light excluding means.

2. A molded plastic eyecup for goggles comprising a generally tubular separately molded base member having one edge conforming generally with facial contour, a separately molded lens seat member telescopically mounted on said base member and permanently secured thereto to form an integral eyecup, the contour of the adjacent surfaces being related to provide lightexcluding tortuous Ventilating passages therebetween terminating closely adjacent the inner surface of a lens supported on said lens seat member.

3. A molded plastic eyecup for goggles cornprising a separately molded generally tubular base member having one edge conforming generally with facial contour, a separately molded lens seat member telescopically mounted on said base member and secured thereto to form a substantially integral eyecup, the contour of at least one of the adjacent surfaces being arranged to provide a series of radially disposed circumferentially distributed light-excluding tortuous ventilating passages between said members after they are secured together.

4. An eyecup comprising a substantially tubular base portion having its inner edge conforming generally to facial contour and its forward end terminating in an outwardly extending notched flange having a notched shoulder at the base of said flange, an externally threaded ring iixedly secured in telescoped relation on said flange and against said shoulder and having its outwardly facing surface forming a lens seat, said ring having complemental notches therein cooperating with said flange notches and said shoulder notches to provide light excluding tortuous passages through the wall of said eyecup, and a lens retaining bezel threaded on said ring.

5. An eyecup comprising a substantially tubular base portion having its inner edge conforming generally to facial contour and its forward edge terminating in an outwardly extending notched flange and a correspondingly notched shoulder at the base of said flange, a ring secured to said flange and providing a fiat lens seat, said ring having complemental notches therein aligned with said flange notches and said shoulder notches to provide light excluding tortuous passages through the wall of said eyecup, and means removably secured to said ring to clamp a lens against said flat lens seat, said lens securing means having an annular flange overhanging said passages.

6. Industrial goggles comprising tubular eyecups having their inner edges conforming generally to facial contour, said cups having tortuous light excluding passages through the walls thereof closely adjacent their outer edges, said cups having threaded openings through their adjacent walls intermediate said passages and said inner edges, hollow'split bushings threaded into said openings, a ball chain having each end engaged in one of said bushings and forming a flexible bridge or nose piece adaptable for adjusting the spacing of said eyecups by rotating at least one of said bushings, so that the said inner edges may lit different facial contours snugly and substantially all ventilation is provided through the tortuous passages in said Walls.

rI. Industrial goggles comprising ventilated eyecups of the light excluding character described and with their inner ends conforming generally to facial contour, an adjustable bridge for said eyecups comprising a flexible nose piece terminating in thumb screws threaded through the side walls of said cups and accessible from inside said cups for rotation to adjust the length of said bridge.

8. In industrial goggles the combination with ventilated, light excluding and facial contour fitting eyecups of the character described having a flexible ball chain bridge therebetween, of a hollow split bushing threaded through a side wall of each cup, each bushing being capable of expansion when removed from its cup to receive one or more balls of said chain therein and adapted to retain said ball or balls in any threaded-in adjusted position of said bushing.

9. Industrial goggles comprising a pair of ventilated, light excluding and facial contour fitting eyecups of the character described, comprising a pair of tubular split bushings adapted to be threaded through the side Walls of said eyecups with the split ends extending outwardly and their inner ends each formed to provide a thumb piece accessible for threaded adjustment of said bushing from inside its respective cup, a ball chain, the split end of each bushing forming a socket to receive and retain a ball of said chain when a bushing is threaded into an eyecup and adapted to enable removal or adjustment of said chain in said bushing when the bushing is removed.

10. Industrial goggles comprising substantially tubular eyecups of molded plastic having comparatively thick walls with their inner edges conforming generally to facial contour so that relative lateral adjustment will cause said inner edges to snugly t different facial contours, said cups each having a flat uninterrupted outer edge surface forming a lens seat, a lens flat against said seat, a bezel threaded on said cup to secure said lens against said seat, said cup having an annular series of light excluding tortuous passages through the wall thereof with the inner ends of said passages terminating closely adjacent said lens seat and the outer ends remote therefrom, a bridge member forming a connection between said cups, means to adjust said bridge to vary the spacing between said cups, said adjusting means comprising a bushing attached to one end of said bridge and adjustably threaded into its respective cup intermediate said passages and said inner edges.

11. An eyecup for goggles comprising a substantially tubular base portion of molded plastic having its inner edge conforming generally to facial contour and its outer end of reduced diameter to form an annular outside shoulder, and a lens seat portion comprising an externally threaded ring of molded plastic of substantially the same inner and outer diameters as said base portion, and with its outer face forming an uninterrupted lens seat, and its inner face conforming in general contour to the shouldered end face of said base portion, said ring being permanently cemented to said base portion, at least one of said portions having grooves or the like molded therein to provide tortuous light excluding passages between said portions.

MARSHALL N. ANDERSON. CLIFFORD L. ROE. 

